01. Into the Future: Economist Predicts the World in 50 Years
02. The Politics Behind the Outrage: Student War Protests
03. Pro Tips for a Killer Halloween Costume
04. How to Prevent Monster Halloween Meltdowns
05. Behind the Curtain: Before They Were Stars
06. Why We Love ‘The Golden Bachelor,’ Wrinkles and All
07. Concentration Camps in America?
08. Why Fall Allergies Make You So Miserable
09. Breast Cancer Awareness: Yes, Dogs Get It Too!
10. Opioid Alternatives Your Doctor Won’t Prescribe
11. Roll Up Your Sleeve Again … and Again … and Again
12. Bruce Willis’ Wife Shares Caregiving Struggles
13. Think Like a Doctor to Save Time, Money, and Maybe Your Life!
14. Does Enduring Tough Times Make Us Stronger?
15. Good Business: The Perks of Pups at Work
1.==> Into the Future: Economist Predicts the World in 50 Years
With so much talk of doom and gloom in the U.S. and abroad, it is easy to worry that life will only get worse in the next half-century. But according to Alan Nevin, a demographer, economist and author of the new book “The Next Half Century,” the data show something much brighter. Global changes in population, lifestyle, education and employment point to the U.S. continuing to lead the way in creating new industries and jobs. Invite Nevin on your show and hear what will happen to the economies of California, Texas, Georgia, Florida and the Carolinas, why the single-family detached home will become a rarity — as will going to a hospital for health care, and what the Russian population’s health woes will mean for that country. Alan Nevin is a real estate economist, demographer and futurist. He is the director of the Economic Research Division of GAFCON, a construction management consulting firm based in San Diego. Contact him at (619) 417-1817; nevin.econ@gmail.com
2. ==> The Politics Behind the Outrage: Student War Protests
Students at a number of colleges across the U.S. have rallied for Palestinians, at times blaming Israel for Hamas’ attack as part of a broader denunciation of the treatment of Palestinians in Gaza. Critics have called for the students’ expulsion and others want to blacklist them from future employment. Nicole Hemmer says harsh reactions among the American establishment to college students and their political activism are not new to the current crisis. Student radicals have been targets of condemnation since at least the early 1960s. “People with real power have learned, over the decades and most acutely in the last few years, to use student protests and youth-driven radicalism as a political tool,” she says. Hemmer will explain how right-wing activists have tried to tie Hamas to Black Lives Matter and academic discourse to delegitimize and discredit universities. “You may hate these student activists’ words and actions, but they’re not the ones with the power here. We should be focused on the people who do have that power, and on how they’re using it.” Nicole Hemmer is an associate professor of history and director of the Carolyn T. and Robert M. Rogers Center for the Study of the Presidency at Vanderbilt University. She is the author of “Partisans: The Conservative Revolutionaries Who Remade American Politics in the 1990s”and cohosts the podcasts “Past Present” and “This Day in Esoteric Political History.” Contact her at nicole.r.hemmer@vanderbilt.edu
3. ==> Pro Tips for a Killer Halloween Costume
Coming up with a good Halloween costume is more than just buying something online or putting on a mask. A really good costume takes some thought and creativity. If you need some inspiration and ideas, invite Johann Stegmeir, an expert in costume and makeup design, to help guide your choice. He says the first step is to conceptualize your idea. “Do you want to be a famous character from a book or film or do you want to be a personification of an idea — like a ‘Freudian Slip?’ Stegmeir will share his tried-and-true tricks to concocting costumes, like starting at second-hand stores to find the base for your creation. “If you’re making a Queen of Hearts costume, first find a red dress and then get a deck of cards,” he says. “The best Halloween costumes are inventive and makeshift rather than expensive.” Johann Stegmeir recently collaborated on costumes for the film “Peace, Love and Misunderstanding” starring Jane Fonda. He is an associate professor of theater at the University of Richmond. Contact Sunni Brown at sbrown5@richmond.edu
4. ==> How to Prevent Monster Halloween Meltdowns
There’s a lot going on during Halloween; costumes, scary movies and lots and lots of candy. While the season is a lot of fun, it’s also filled with triggers and situations that can be difficult, especially for kids with behavior issues. Rebecah Freeling, a child behavior expert who specializes in kids with defiance and oppositional behaviors, can share ways to help families get the most out of the fun without the evening ending in disaster. From costume issues to candy control, she says there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to setting boundaries and rules. She’ll discuss how to know what will work best for your child, and ways to use the holiday as a teaching moment. “Halloween is a great time to help kids develop their impulse control and take responsibility for their decisions,” she says. Rebecah Freeling is the owner of Wits End Parenting. In addition to working with individual families, she also consults with schools and speaks on parenting issues. Her book is “Your Rules Are Dumb: Parenting Your Strong-Willed, Oppositional or Defiant Child.” Contact her at (510) 619-5920; witsendparenting@gmail.com
5.==> Behind the Curtain: Before They Were Stars
Joe Papp and his wife Gail founded the Public Theater in New York City, and for 26 years worked to build what has become a famous theatrical institution that launched the careers of many notable stars. Invite Gail to share an inside look at the early years of the Public when plays such as “A Chorus Line” were just starting and then little-known actors were making their way in show business. Gail and Joe’s production genius was responsible for an extraordinary body of work that launched the careers of dozens of actors including James Earl Jones, Morgan Freeman, Mandy Patinkin, Kevin Kline and Meryl Streep. Hear what went on behind the curtain and how the Public Theater became a transformative beacon for social change. Gail’s new book is “Public/Private: My Life with Joe Papp at the Public Theater.” Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137; (703) 400-1099 (cell) or johanna@jrbcomm.com or Erin Bolden at (703) 980-2705
6. ==> Why We Love ‘The Golden Bachelor,’ Wrinkles and All
When ABC announced the latest spin-off of “The Bachelor” earlier this year there was some snickering and jokes about the appeal of older folks looking for love. But it turns out audiences love septuagenarian Gerry Turner and the gaggle of “Golden Girls” hoping to capture his heart and have made “The Golden Bachelor” a huge hit. Ellen Albertson isn’t surprised. She says falling in love is ageless. “People are living longer and are gifted with an entire second adulthood and finding love is a part of that journey.” She adds, “People at midlife and beyond are tired of NOT seeing themselves. Baby boomers and Generation X represent 40% of the U.S. population. We want to see stories, including love stories, about people in our age group.” Dr. Ellen, aka The Midlife Whisperer, is a psychologist, board-certified health and wellness coach, and author of “Rock Your Midlife.” She has appeared on “Extra,” the Food Network and “NBC World News” and has been quoted in “Psychology Today,” “Forbes,” and “Eating Well.” She has written for “SELF,” “Better Homes & Gardens” and “Good Housekeeping.” Contact Ellen Albertson at (802) 497-7222; tigerwellness1@gmail.com
7. ==> Concentration Camps in America?
How would you feel if the unthinkable of concentration camps happened right here in America? Well, they did, and they can happen again. Over 122,000 innocent people, including 50,000 American children, were rounded up and incarcerated in concentration camps in America during World War II because of their race. At the same time, brave young men volunteered from the camps to fight —and die — for the U.S. Army while their families remained imprisoned in the camps by the U.S. Army. Invite John Suzuki, the author of “American Grit: From a Japanese American Concentration Camp Rises an American War Hero” to discuss this significant and shameful historical episode as a terrifying example of racism and prejudice, and lessons learned on the topic of diversity in America. Ask him: Why did the concentration camps in America happen? Who were the men who volunteered from the camps to fight for the U.S. Army, and how did they contribute to winning World War II? What can we learn from that experience that will make us better people? What can we do to prevent concentration camps from ever happening again? Contact John Suzuki at (425) 985-1465; John@JohnSuzuki.com
8. ==> Why Fall Allergies Make You So Miserable
Spring may be the season most people associate with outdoor allergies, but millions of people suffer each autumn from ragweed and outdoor mold. “For many people, these seasonal outdoor allergen exposures occur on top of chronic indoor allergen exposure to things like dust mites and animal dander,” says Marc Riedl, professor of medicine and clinical service chief of allergy and immunology at the University of California at San Diego and practicing allergist/immunologist at UC San Diego Health. He says, “So for these people who may have some low-level chronic allergy symptoms, this seasonal spike in outdoor allergens can push their symptoms to an intolerable level and generate miserable fall allergies.” Riedl can discuss ways to avoid fall allergens like showering after raking, wiping pets’ feet before they come inside, and wearing a mask. He’ll also discuss treatment options including antihistamines, nasal sprays, and for long-term, severe symptoms, immunotherapy. Contact Marc Riedl at mriedl@ucsd.edu
9. ==> Breast Cancer Awareness: Yes, Dogs Get It Too!
Think breast cancer only affects humans? The incidence of mammary tumors is higher in dogs than in any other domesticated animal and is three times higher than the incidence in humans! Invite integrative veterinarian Carol Osborne to discuss mammary cancer in dogs and ways it can be prevented and treated. You’ll learn how non-spayed female dogs have a seven-fold increased risk of developing mammary cancer compared to neutered females and the role obesity plays. Dr. Carol says almost half of all tumors found are malignant, and half of those have metastasized by the time they are diagnosed. “If you find a lump on your dog, do not wait to go to the veterinarian.” Carol Osborne, DVM, is an author and Emmy-nominated television journalist. She has appeared on many shows including “Fox & Friends,” “Today” and “Good Day LA.” Contact Mackenzie August at (661) 255-8283; mackenzie@steveallenmedia.com
10. ==> Opioid Alternatives Your Doctor Won’t Prescribe
As communities across the country struggle to respond to the opioid crisis, doctors and dentists continue to prescribe the drugs in large numbers. More than one million Americans have now died of opioid overdoses, with most starting from a prescription for pain. Chronic pain expert Cindy Perlin, LCSW, says if that weren’t enough to dissuade use of the drug, it hasn’t been proven to be the best pain option. She’ll discuss safer and more effective alternatives to opioids. Perlin is a licensed clinical social worker, founder and CEO of the Alternative Pain Treatment Directory, author of “The Truth About Chronic Pain Treatments: The Best and Worst Strategies for Becoming Pain Free,” a chronic pain survivor and an experienced interview guest. Contact her at (518) 439-6431; cindyperlin@gmail.com
11. ==> Roll Up Your Sleeve Again … and Again … and Again
Americans are being urged to get shots against the flu, COVID and, if they’re older, R.S.V. The vaccination push is an attempt to avoid a winter “tripledemic” like the one that occurred last winter. For older and immunocompromised Americans, all three vaccines are a “godsend,” according to Dr. Ofer Levy, director of the precision vaccines program at Boston Children’s Hospital and an advisor to the Food and Drug Administration. “The number of elders who die of viral infection every winter in our intensive care units, and also sometimes in the summer, is large — it’s in the tens of thousands of individuals,” Dr. Levy says. There are still questions about how the vaccines are best administered, who is most likely to benefit, and what the risks may be. It also remains to be seen how many Americans will opt for the shots. 71% of adults 65 and older got a flu shot this past winter, but only about 43% chose to get a COVID booster. Contact Dr. Ofer Levy at (617) 919-2900; ofer.levy@childrens.harvard.edu
12. ==> Bruce Willis’ Wife Shares Caregiving Struggles
Emma Heming Willis has been very candid about her struggles amid husband Bruce Willis’ dementia battle. Heming Willis has served as the actor’s caregiver during his struggle with the devastating disease. She is among the over 50 million people currently providing care to a sick or aging loved one in the United States and studies show that at least 40% to 70% of family caregivers report symptoms of anxiety or depression. As the primary caregiver for her mother with Alzheimer’s disease, Alexandra Free can identify with Heming Willis, having suffered from daily panic attacks and depression. Alexandra can discuss the importance of self-care for caregivers and share simple 10-minute rituals she created to help caregivers (and non-caregivers) create some peace in the middle of whatever chaos life is throwing at them. Alexandra is a self-care advocate, caregiving expert, and the author of “From Zero to Zen: A Guide to Help You Thrive as a Caregiver.” Contact Alexandra Free at (310) 922-5637; lex@alexandrafree.com
13. ==> Think Like a Doctor to Save Time, Money, and Maybe Your Life!
There’s a shortage of physicians around the country that is projected to reach up to 124,000 doctors by 2034. People need practical tools to protect themselves and their families. They need actionable tips to empower them to maximize their care and minimize their costs — tips that Ann Hester, M.D., a board-certified internist with over 25 years of experience in direct patient care, can provide. Ann is the author of “Patient Empowerment 101: More Than a Book, It’s an Adventure!” She also created Patient World, a platform where people can take on-demand health and wellness courses taught by physicians, authors, and other health experts. Ask her: How can people lower their medical bills? How can they prepare a one-minute elevator speech that will help their doctor nail their diagnosis? How can families be protected from the unprecedented doctor shortage on the horizon? Contact Ann Hester. M.D., at (443) 414-8182; dr.hester@patientempowerment101.com
14. ==> Does Enduring Tough Times Make Us Stronger?
“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” You’ve probably heard the phrase, but is it really true? Invite Hillary Saffran to share stories of famous people like Albert Einstein, Ludwig van Beethoven and Oprah, and others who have accomplished great things despite going through great adversities. The author of “Fill Your Glass with Gold: When It’s Half Full or Even Completely Shattered” faced significant challenges throughout her life and tells others, “Whatever you have gone through — no matter how difficult it seems — it will be useful for you in the future. Out of great difficulty, many have created nonprofits, formed ministries, and have gathered more skill sets for a new or better career.” Hillary Saffran is an author, therapist, transformational coach, speaker, actress, singer, musician, voiceover artist, and ventriloquist. As a single parent of three children, she made extra money by becoming a birthday party clown and performing singing telegrams. Her books include “Laughing in the Rain: Self-Care for the Storms of Life” and “The Little Coach Engine That Could Because It Stopped Sabotaging Itself.” Contact her at (907) 707-7556; hillarysaffran@gmail.com
15. ==> Good Business: The Perks of Pups at Work
Has your workplace gone to the dogs? Maybe it should! Some of the most successful companies in the world welcome therapy dogs on their premises, like Google, Amazon and Ben & Jerry’s. Then there’s Build-a-Bear Workshop, which has Milford the chief dog, and P&G Petcare, which “employs” Euka as vice president of canine communications. Larry Grogan helps companies implement full-time pet therapy programs. He says it’s good for employees and business. “Pet therapy has been medically proven to reduce blood pressure, lower heart rates, reduce anxiety and increase mental alertness all at the same time,” he says. “It also increases productivity, boosts morale and encourages teamwork.” An author and pet therapy advocate, Grogan founded Delta Omega Gamma to help companies utilize pet therapy properly. Grogan has seen firsthand how pets can work wonders for people struggling with mental and physical health issues. He and his tiny dog Scrappy were a pet therapy team for eight years at a children’s hospital where they worked with thousands of children. Contact him at (423) 557-1908; larrygrogan5@gmail.com